Michigan State jolts Purdue, stays alive in Big Ten

November 9, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Javon Ringer scored two touchdowns and No. 18 Michigan State used a dominating defense Saturday to stay alive in the Big Ten title chase with a 21-7 victory over Purdue.

The Spartans (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten), who are off next week, will rest up for a Nov. 22 showdown at No. 3 Penn State, with at least a share of the conference title on the line.

The Spartans last won a share of the Big Ten crown in 1990.

Purdue (3-7, 1-5) was officially eliminated from bowl contention in coach Joe Tiller’s final season.

Ringer, one of 16 Spartans playing their final home game Saturday, had 121 yards on 32 carries. He entered the game ranked second in the nation at 142.7 yards per game. He is the second-leading career rusher in Michigan State history, trailing only Lorenzo White.

Michigan 29, Minnesota 6

MINNEAPOLIS — Under the big pillowy top of the Metrodome at least, Michigan is still Michigan.

The much-maligned Wolverines defense swarmed like the Michigan of old and the ground game racked up 232 yards to keep the Little Brown Jug where it has resided for most of its existence.

K.C. Lopata kicked five field goals and Greg Mathews had six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown for Michigan (3-7, 2-4 Big Ten), which snapped a five-game losing streak that knocked it out of bowl season for the first time in 35 years. The Wolverines have never lost in the Metrodome in 12 tries.

Wisconsin 55, Indiana 20

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Wisconsin’s P.J. Hill ran for three touchdowns, David Gilreath added two more, John Clay scored once, and all three players topped 100 yards rushing.

Wisconsin (5-5, 2-5) relied on a smashmouth attack, routinely sending Hill and Clay up the middle while Gilreath did his damage on a series of end arounds. The Badgers’ defense reverted to old form, too, shutting out the Hoosiers in the second half after knocking out quarterback Ben Chappell with a head injury just before halftime.

Indiana’s battered and beleaguered run defense never had a chance to save this season’s bowl hopes. The Hoosiers dropped to 3-7 (1-5), officially eliminating them from postseason contention.

The Badgers finished with a season-high 441 yards rushing, getting 127 from Hill and 112 from Clay, while Gilreath ran eight times for 168 yards and two scores. Gilreath had rushed for only 122 yards in Wisconsin’s first nine games.

W. Michigan 23, Illinois 17

DETROIT — Tim Hiller threw two touchdowns and John Potter kicked three field goals to help Western Michigan beat Illinois.

The loss prevented Illinois (5-5, 3-3 Big Ten) from clinching bowl eligibility.

Hiller’s touchdown passes came after Illinois quarterback Juice Williams was intercepted on consecutive possessions in the second quarter. Hiller completed 28-of-40 passes for 301 yards and surpassed 3,000 passing yards for the second consecutive year.